nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

often attributive

: the time from dusk to dawn

Synonyms of nighttime

• night

Examples of nighttime in a Sentence

The animal hunts in the nighttime.

before electricity, gas lamps were used for illumination during the nighttime

Recent Examples on the Web

Save pull-ups for outings and nighttime use and have your toddler wear training pants or undies during the day. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

All photographers should bring a tripod and a remote timer in order to keep their devices still for a long enough period of time to capture the lights in the nighttime darkness. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Being able to do my nighttime skincare routine with HiFinch products. — Anna Tingley, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

Those who visit annually or several times during the year are deeply passionate about the live shows, character meet-and-greets, holiday food specials, seasonal festivals and parades and nighttime spectaculars that these parks provide. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nighttime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• noontime

Kids Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

: the time from dusk to dawn

nighttime adjective

Legal Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time

1

: the time from dusk to dawn

2

: a statutorily set period usually beginning shortly after dusk and ending shortly after dawn